Temporary binder.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVA LTER S. MENDENHALL, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE SAMUEL C. TATUM COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPO- RATION.

TEMPORARY BINDER.

PatentedDec. 18, 1906.

Application filed September '7, 1906. Serial No, 333,720.

To [bi/Z wholn it may concern..-

Be it known that I, WALTER S. MENDEN- HALL, a citizen of. the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Temporary Binders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved mechanism for locking the top cover of a temporary binder to the binding-posts.

The object of my invention is to provide a very simple and efiicient lock, which can be conveniently housed Within the compass destined to be occupied in a binding-cover in which the locking instrumentalities comprise clamping-plates, located between the binding-posts, which project through the cover, adapted to be simultaneously actuated manually in one direction and automatically in the opposite direction.

Another object of my invention is to provide clamping-plates of a temporary binder with a tapered knife-edge, whereby the plates adjust themselves to effectively grip the binding-post.

The features of my invention will be more "fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the locking mechanism, showing the parts in released position and with the cap-plate removed. Fig. 2 is a similar view to that of Fig. 1, showing the parts in their clamped position. Fig. 3 is a section on line 00 as, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the clampingplates.

1 represents the bottom cover of the binder (see Fig. 3) provided with the hinding-posts 2 3, secured thereto in the usual manner.

4 represents a plate forming the base member of the upper binding-cover upon which the clamping mechanism is mounted. 5 represents a housing-plate adapted to be secured over said base-plate 4 by means of the lugs 6.

7 8 represent clamping-plates one end of which is provided with a tapering knife-edge 9, the opposite end being formed with a concave surface adapted to bear against the periphery of the cam 10. This cam is provided on each side thereof with the bosses 11 12, adapted to project into the oblong slots 13 14, formed in the base-plate 4 and coverplate 5, respectively. The purpose of the oblong slots is to enable the cam to have a loose lateral movement, which insures a positive locking of the clamping -plates against the binding-post, for should one of the clamping-plates engage against its post in advance of the other the cam will still be free to be revolved until the opposite clamping-plate has contacted with its binding-post. The cam 10 is provided with a key-notch 15, into which the key 16 can be inserted for controlling the movement of the cam.

In order to automatically release the clamping-plates after the cam has been swiveled to its releasing position, the following mechanism is provided: 17 represents a slot formed in the clamping-plates, and '18 represents an upwardly-projecting lug, formed on the base-plate 4, adapted to project into the slot 17 of the clamping-plates. 19 represents a coil-spring one end of which is adapted to bear against the clamping-plate and the opposite end against the lug 18. Thus it will be seen that when the clamping-plates are moved to a clamping position the springs 19 will be compressed and when the clamping-plates are released the tension of the springs will automatically move the clamping-plates toward each other, releasing their grip.

As shown, the clamping-plates are preferably mounted between the lugs 6, employed for securing the base-plate 4 and housing 5 together.

This device is very simple, efficient, and convenient. The casing may be bound With a suitable covering, so that the metal parts will not be exposed and the device will present a compact and neat appearance, desirable for this class of binders. This powerful clamplock is effected by a very slight turn of the key and can be utilized at any vertical posi tion of the top cover relative to the bindingposts.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a temporary binder, a bottom cover provided with binding-posts, a top cover having a casing, clamping-plates longitudinally movable in said casing, one end of said clamping-plates being provided with a tapering knife-edge, the opposite end with a concave edge, the binding-posts passing through said casing adapted to be engaged by said clamping-plates, a cam loosely mounted in loosely mounted in said casing, the periphery said casing, the periphery of said cam adapted to contact the concave edges of the clamping-plates, to simultaneously move said plates apart for a clamping engagement With said binding-posts in one direction of movement of said cam, means for automatically returning said clamps in a released position When the cam is turned in the opposite direction, and a key for operating said cam, substantially as described.

2. In a temporary binder, a bottom cover provided with binding-posts, a top cover having a casing, clamping-plates longitudinally movable in said casing, one end of said clamping-plates being provided With a tapering knife-ed ge, the opposite end With a concave edge, the binding-posts passing through said casing adapted to be engaged by the knife-edges of said clamping-plates, a cam of said cam adapted to contact the concave edges of the clamping-plates to simultaneously move said clamping-plates for a clamping engagement With said binding-posts in one direction of said movement, a slot formed in said clamping-plate, a lug formed in said top-cover casing adapted to project into said slot of the clamping-plates, a coilspring between the clamping-plates and lug for automatically returning said clamps When the cam is moved to its releasing position, and a removable key for operating said cam, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WALTER S. MENDENHALL. Witnesses:

OLIVER B. KAISER, LEO ODoNNELL. 

